Two elderly Fairhaven residents with coronavirus have died

FAIRHAVEN — Two town residents who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus have died over the weekend according to a news release from health agent Mary Freire-Kellogg.

“We were notified by the Massachusetts Department of Health (DPH) of their passing today,” Freire-Kellogg said in the statement dated April 4.

“Both residents were elderly and had advanced medical conditions. The town would like to offer condolences to the families of these Fairhaven citizens,” she said in the release.

There are a total of 15 positive cases of COVID-19 in Fairhaven as of April 4, the statement said. The Board of Health and public health nurse is in contact with these individuals and is following all procedures recommended by DPH and Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the news release said.

As a reminder, identifiable personal information for residents who have tested positive will not be released, Freire-Kellogg noted in the statement.

The statement reminds people to:

Continue to take every precaution to protect themselves through proper handwashing, cleaning and sanitizing their homes, cars, shopping carts and any other touchpoints where COVID-19 could be contracted or spread.

“Continue to practice social distancing of six feet between people and no group gatherings of more than 10 people. Shopping and other activities should be taken as essential trips and wearing a mask or covering your mouth when you interact with people is recommended. Moreover, you should be restricting or quarantining yourself if you are showing flu-like symptoms.

“It’s important to connect with isolated people or seniors who are alone, as well as seek help if you find you are anxious or in a crisis situation. Resources have been posted to the webpage referenced above to address these issues.

“We ask that every resident do everything possible to protect themselves, their families and their community. These are stressful, unprecedented times and information is changing on a minute-by-minute basis.” the news release noted.